DJI has unveiled a new tool designed to increase safety and security in a world of crowded air space. AeroScope can identify and track any DJI drone by using the existing link between the drone itself and the controller on the ground. A bold move, you might think. Certainly, but also a necessary one!
Security is always an issue, and it’s always about keeping a balance. Surveillance, incapacitation and big brother authorities on the one hand, privacy and freedom on the other.
Photograph credit: Bertrand Bouchez | unsplash.com
We need regulation for the increasing air traffic caused by affordable drones, sure. But we also need to avoid a surveillance state in order to enforce these regulations. In comes DJI AeroScope, a tool which tries to satisfy both sides.
DJI AeroScope
This upcoming technology won’t be available for everybody. It’s designed to be used by authorized parties like police or aviation authorities only. AeroScope has been installed at two international airports since April, and DJI is continuing to test the system in other environments.
Basically AeroScope is a receiver that can detect any drones within its range once that drone is powered on. Before it’s even airborne, AeroScope can already know its location and its unique registration number, which relates it directly to its registered owner.
Photograph credit: Shane Smith | unsplash.com
While airborne, AeroScope plots your drone’s location on a map, keeping track of the drone’s altitude, speed and direction. All this happens in real time, with no remote internet-based servers involved. That way the system ensures most drone flights will not be automatically recorded in government databases.
As drones have become an everyday tool for professional and personal use, authorities want to be sure they can identify who is flying near sensitive locations or in ways that raise serious concerns. DJI AeroScope addresses that need for accountability with technology that is simple, reliable and affordable – and is available for deployment now. (Brendan Schulman, DJI’s Vice President for Policy and Legal Affairs)
Because AeroScope is based on already existing technology, the system is relatively easy to deploy. Think of it as a second receiver just like your existing controller.
Freedom vs Security
Is this a good move by DJI? I think so, yes. While it’s obvious that no one can please everybody’s needs and expectations, this is a reasonable solution to an existing and growing problem. More and more drones are in the air because they are getting more affordable, and therefore accessible for everybody. Just recently a drone caused a collision with a landing commercial aircraft in Quebec, Canada. How did that happen? According to DJI, no drone manufactured by them is allowed to fly above 120m by default, and Quebec airport is registered as a no-fly zone in their worldwide geofencing system. Although it’s not certain that a DJI drone was involved, a system like AeroScope might have been a good starting point for identifying that drone’s operator.
Photograph credit: Ashim D’Silva | unsplash.com
You need to be aware that you are responsible for what you do with your drone. And even more importantly, that your drone has the very real potential of causing significant damage. AeroScope might be seen as an addition to the so-called local data mode, introduced earlier this year by DJI, but note that while that mode enables you to fly stealth in no-fly zones, AeroScope will be able to spot you anyway.
While it feels a bit strange to be observed like that, it seems DJI actually cares about your privacy because AeroScope works in real time without the detour through internet-based server systems. You’ll only be monitored while flying near restricted zones such as airports. The whole system is based on the ability of receiving your drone’s transmitting signal, so it’s necessary to be in physical proximity to any AeroScope receiver in the first place.
Conclusion
I think this is a bold but necessary move by DJI. We need a certain agreement when it comes to the use of drones. I don’t want to be monitored all the time, but at the same time I certainly don’t want to sit in a plane when a drone hits the engine just because some tenderfoot drone pilot didn’t care about no-fly zones.
The no-server approach is a good idea in several ways: DJI tries not to create another data kraken and yet the technology is easy to deploy. Even third-party manufacturers can adapt their existing or future products to the data schemes used by DJI.
link: DJI News Room
What do think of this? Is AeroScope a reasonable way of protecting sensitive areas or is this becoming more and more of a deal breaker for you? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

A proposed set of measures by Transport Canada threatens to place heavy drone regulations. Read on for the reaction from DJI.
Transport Canada has released a series of proposed measures that aim to reduce the security and administrative issues caused by the use of unmanned air vehicles (UAVs or drones). The various restrictions cover different categories of drone models based on weight, as well as an overall set of measures for all drone pilots.
Among the general proposed drone regulations is a clause that all pilots operating a drone weighing over 250g must have an obligatory liability insurance of $100,000.
DJI Mavic Pro
Regulations among the “very small” category of drone models — those ranging from 250g to 1kg, which would include models such as the DJI Spark and DJI Mavic Pro — include a mandatory written knowledge test and operating no closer than 100 feet (30.5 m) from a person. The “small” category of up to 25kg — which would include the DJI Phantom 4 Pro, DJI Inspire and more — adds further restrictions and, depending on whether its a rural or urban environment, could restrict pilots from flying closer than 250 feet (76.20 m) from a person.
DJI Inspire 2
It is worth mentioning that some of these proposed measures make no distinction between recreational and commercial use. Could this mean that people wanting to use their drones to shoot films – whether commercially or not – would be legally prevented from getting close to their actors?
In a press release published on 19th July, drone manufacturer DJI expressed its disappointment at Canada’s “overly restrictive” approach, claiming that some of its overarching measures would “discourage schools, students and hobbyists from experimenting with drones in science, engineering or photography”. This comes less than a month after after the manufacturer applauded Canada’s revised Interim Order which removed earlier heavy restrictions on drone usage.
DJI encourages users to submit comments and feedback on the proposed restrictions here as part of a consultation with the Canadian government. Submissions are open until October 13th, 2017.
Airport worker with crashed drone
The topic of drone regulation is still a hot debate. With recent dangerous incidents compromising safety around airports, it is clear that there must be some kind of control. While DJI has tried to implement certain features to prevent unsafe flying, workarounds are already being developed to bypass drone No Fly Zones. The question remains if stringent regulation is the only way forward.
Are you a Canadian shooter who would be professionally affected by these new proposed measures? Let us know in the comments!

HOT OFF THE PRESS: DJI has just announced a new drone! The DJI Phantom 4 Advanced brings incredible upgrades to their mid-level drone series, such as 4K at 60fps, a mechanical shutter, and an all-new screen built into the controller. Here are the specifics in detail.
DJI is like a gift that keeps on coming. It is difficult to keep up with them, as new drones seem to pop out of nowhere. However, it’s likely you won’t be disappointed with what the new DJI Phantom 4 Advanced has to offer. Mainly an update to the existing DJI Phantom 4 base model, it shares some of the features found in the DJI Phantom 4 Pro drone.
DJI Phantom 4 Advanced – Camera
The new DJI Phantom 4 Advanced model has a 1-inch, 20-megapixel sensor and a mechanical shutter. This upgraded camera is capable of shooting H.264 4K video at 60 frames per second, as well as supporting H.265 4K at 30fps, both with a 100Mbps bitrate. DJI claim that the improvements in optical performance, sensors and processors ensure a higher dynamic range and more image detail.
Flight Modes and Sensors
As with the DJI Phantom 4 Pro, the Advanced comes with many key intelligent features that allow smooth automatic flight modes. These include Draw, ActiveTrack, TapFly, Gesture and Tripod modes. The Phantom 4 Advanced is also equipped with the FlightAutonomy system, which is made up of five vision sensors, a forward-facing obstacle avoidance system, dual-band satellite positioning (GPS and GLONASS), and ultrasonic rangefinders. This allows the DJI Phantom 4 Advanced to hover precisely in places without GPS and to fly in complex environments.
Built-In Screen and More
The DJI Phantom 4 Advanced also allows for more storage capacity using a 128GB microSD card. The flight time has also been extended to up to 30 minutes. For a slight increase in price from the regular Advanced model, the Phantom 4 Advanced+ version offers a 5.5-inch 1080p screen integrated into the controller. The built-in display device is based on an Android system with 4 GB RAM and, according to DJI, the screen is twice as bright as conventional smart devices.
According to DJI, the introduction of the Phantom 4 Advanced means that as of 30th April 2017 the Phantom 4 model will no longer be available. However, DJI will continue to provide after-sales support to Phantom 4 customers.
DJI Phantom 4 Advanced – Tech Specs:
Sensor: 1’’ CMOS, Effective pixels: 20M
Lens: 24mm (35mm format equivalent). f/2.8 – f/11, with auto focus at 1 m – ∞
ISO Range: 100 – 6400 (Manual)
Video Recording (h.265):
C4K:4096×2160 24/25/30p @100Mbps
4K:3840×2160 24/25/30p @100Mbps
2.7K:2720×1530 24/25/30p @65Mbps
2.7K:2720×1530 48/50/60p @80Mbps
FHD:1920×1080 24/25/30p @50Mbps
FHD:1920×1080 48/50/60p @65Mbps
FHD:1920×1080 120p @100Mbps
Video Recording (h.264):
C4K:4096×2160 24/25/30/48/50/60p @100Mbps
4K:3840×2160 24/25/30/48/50/60p @100Mbps
2.7K:2720×1530 24/25/30p @80Mbps
2.7K:2720×1530 48/50/60p @100Mbps
FHD:1920×1080 24/25/30p @60Mbps
FHD:1920×1080 48/50/60 @80Mbps
FHD:1920×1080 120p @100Mbps
Fore more details on specs, please visit the DJI website here.
Pricing for the DJI Phantom 4 Advanced will be $1,349, with the Advanced+ version going for $1,649. Both models will be available as of April 30 2017.
What do you think about the newly-updated DJI Phantom 4 Advanced? Would you choose it over the DJI Phantom Pro? Please let us know in the comments below.